Sugar is everywhere. It's in obvious places—cookies, soda, candy—but also hiding in salad dressings, pasta sauces, bread, and even "healthy" snacks. Most of us consume far more than we realize, and our bodies have ways of letting us know when we've crossed the line from "occasional treat" to "too much."

The tricky part? These signs can be subtle. They creep up slowly, masquerading as normal parts of daily life. But once you know what to look for, your body's messages become clear.

Here are eight signs that you might be consuming too much sugar—and what to do about it.

1. Constant Fatigue and Low Energy

You know that feeling—the afternoon slump that has you reaching for coffee, soda, or something sweet just to make it through the day. What you might not realize is that the sugar you're consuming could be causing the very fatigue you're trying to fight.

What happens: When you eat sugar, your blood sugar spikes, giving you a temporary energy boost. Your pancreas releases insulin to bring that blood sugar down—often too far, causing a "crash" that leaves you feeling more tired than before.

The cycle: Eat sugar → energy spike → insulin surge → blood sugar crash → fatigue → crave more sugar to recover energy → repeat.

What to notice: If you consistently feel tired, especially an hour or two after eating, or if you rely on sugar or caffeine to get through the afternoon, excess sugar could be the culprit.